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Just a quick question regarding taking a 1-2 year clerkship with a Federal Magistrate Judge in flyover country (I am assuming Non Miami/Orlando/Tampa Florida counts as such).

I am currently a 3L, my grades barely put me in the top half of my class at WashU Law. Employment prospects look dim with nothing likely to appear job prospect wise. I am an editor on a secondary journal, participating in a clinic, and have random nice internships/externships (DOJ one summer, Private firm the next).

I did receive a Federal Magistrate offer detailed above. Should I take the offer? My fear is that nothing else comes along and then I am really screwed. I have always heard that clerking doesn't hurt you and while Magistrate isn't the most prestigious federal clerkship available, it is something. That being said, what is the portability of the Magistrate clerkship? Will it provide any help in securing non-central Florida employment? Additionally, if I was trying to get to DC/NY (I know a stretch) to work for the Federal Government or a firm up here, would it be useful at all? Do employers even care about a Magistrate clerkship? Finally, if I did take the Magistrate, would my best bet to attempt to transition it into a District Court clerkship (if I am lucky)?

Thank you for your time and help, I really appreciate it.

How much time did you ask for to make your decision? I thought it's customary to always immediately accept an offer from any federal judge.

That said, all fed. magistrate clerkships are good, tough to get jobs. So congrats on the offer. I interviewed with magistrate judge in a flyover district before interviewing for, and eventually accepting, a clerkship with a district ct. judge. I didn't get an offer with the magistate, but I would have gladly accepted it if I had. It may be difficult to land a job in NY/DC immediately afterwards, but not impossible. You're correct in assuming that it would be easier to do this if you clerked for a district judge after the magistrate. And that's fairly common path. I know of many former clerks who did fed. magistrate -> fed. district judge -> NY. Good luck

Bird in the hand.... take the job. It isn't your key to DC/NY but neither is unemployment. I'd take the job and stop trying to control for certain outcomes...all your planning so far hasnt worked out well. Take what is in front of you.